Hi everyone.

September has come and gone quicker than a cheetah chasing its prey. I want to say thank you to each of you for sharing your shave experiences last month. I have to say that 95% of the shaves were excellent and beyond. Bravo! Truly a testament to the power of this thread that helps us shave well and I am glad to be a part of it. On that note, I want to say that this is my 3rd anniversary of being the overseer of this threa. Tbh, I didn't know if I could do it or even have the drive to move forward every month. I have been blessed doing it and I consider it an honor and a privilege to be at the helm during these last years. You guys made it easy for me to continue, but I will say that I was thinking of stepping down and let someone else take over. However, I was in contact with a member and he encouraged me to continue. Also, this thread's 10th anniversary is in January and that was another reason why I am here to stay. I have learned a lot from being here for six years and I am forever grateful. I hope you guys feel the same with the knowledge that you have attained here as well.

Monthly Theme

OK, let's get down to business. This month's theme is quite obvious and that would be Open Comb and Open Blade October. Yes, that's right! It's time to get out your open comb safety razors like the GEMS, Mühles, etc. Btw, ussing a straight or a shavette will fulfill the Open Blade part of the monthly theme. Another suggestion would be Oud October. Feel free to use soaps and aftershaves that have oud. Finally,, you don’t have to follow this month's theme. You are free to shave with anything you desire.

Ok, let's continue with the basic tenets of this thread!

I want to welcome all the veterans of the 30 DC and all the newcomers. This thread is for the purposes of improving your shave technique so that you will consistently get great shaves. There are a number of ways to do it. These are suggestions so feel free to do whatever you want in regards to your shave.

The 30 Day Rule
Take ONE razor, ONE blade, ONE brush, ONE soap/cream and use them EVERYDAY this month. Yes, everyday. But Trigger, I want variety! I know you do, but until you perfect your technique, it makes little sense to constantly change the variables of your shave.

The Focus
For you out there that are not up to the rigors of the Rule, there is this alternative:
Vary the gear for each shave, save for perhaps one or two elements.
This is a more accessible challenge for the majority of shavers. I like to pick a particular aspect of the shave, be it the lather, a certain blade or a new razor, that needs breaking in, and not change it daily, until I have mastered those tools.

Ok, to keep the thread on a nice even keel, I ask everyone to follow the thread etiquette as listed below:
1. New Members always welcome. Start anytime.
2. Old Members always welcome.
3. Respect everyone.
4. Refrain from political conversation.

I also want to suggest that we should try to assess our shaves as to why it was good or why it was not up to your standards and express these reasons in your comments. The spirit of this thread is to improve our shaves and if we share the reasons why a shave was good or bad, then we are giving our experiences to encourage good technique and discourage bad technique so that we have great info to get better shaves. I am not suggesting that we do it for every post, but I think it would make for a healthier thread if we start to do it more than we have in the past years.

Moreover, you don't have to do a rule or a focus. You are free to change your setup on a shave to shave basis.

Finally, I want this thread to continue to be a friendly place. It is ok to disagree because that is how we learn from each other, but let's encourage and respect every member. Yes, even if you think they are off the wall. Let's face it! We all are a little off because of our different Aquisition Disorders. Lol!

Let's have a group hug!



Also, let's have great shaves and fellowship in October!

Sincerely,

Joe (Trigger)

awesome Joe.count me in for OCtober.i have a bunch of OC razors this time around,mostly gillette new series from around the planet.after a 60 + razor pass off some time ago i have replaced some key favourites in nice condition and i am happy to show them here.hope you all feel the same..

That's wonderful Gary.

A great introduction to Month Joe. I'll be mainly doing an OCtober focus, for my face shaves, & various Cartridge/Disposable's for my head shaves.

1st October 2024.



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Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/Bulldog Peppermint & Eucalyptus Shower Gel.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face & head.
Cien PURE Fragrance Free Sensitive Bar Soap.
Brush: Anbbas boar.
Bowl Lather.
Bowl: Tesco's Ceramic 'Cosmo' Side Bowl.
Lather: La Barbiera Classic Shaving Soap.
Blade: Vidyut/Supermax Super Stainless. (D2)
Razor: Parker 24C.
Razor: Cien Men Twin Blade. (Head) - (D1)

Post:
Cold Water Face & Head Rinse./Cold water face & head wash with brush squeezing's,/Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse./Homemade (~Autumn/Winter mix~) peppermint lavender, eucalyptus, + Tea Tree essential Oils Mixed Together With Care+Witch Hazel./P&G Old Spice Hawkridge ASL./L'0REAL Barber Club Reinforcing ASB.

Greetings,

(Face & Head Shave.)

Open-Comb October focus month.

Early Morning shave.

A close & comfortable face and head shave to start the month off on a high.

Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of L'0REAL Barber Club Reinforcing ASB.

My face & precious swede are feeling smooth & smelling divine.

Keep safe, and enjoy your day ladies & gentlemen.

Nver thought I'd say this,but I feel like chucking the Rise. As I've said many times, what comes out of the can is great, but GETTING IT OUT has become annoying. A nice shave though. I could have done a little better at the central jawline, but maybe will tomorrow. One pass. No cuts, Knicks, Polka-dots. The Stoylin Coniferous w/Menthol felt good, naturally a little chilly at first on this October morning, but it's better now. Will have a different A.S. for tomorrow. Pretty outstanding.

Thanks Barry.

Wonderful start to the month Barry.

Thank you, joe. The Mühle R41/ Feather Hi Stainless duo will be featured at the weekend.

Fine introduction Joe. I believe I will go with the following themes:
1.OUDtober - Any software with Oud.
2. OBSCUREtober - Soaps that fall into this category have not been used for at least six month but preferably not at all I. 2024.
3. 1508.5 - Use a soap every other day until the tub is finished. Candidates for this treatment are Tim’s Soap Busta’s Blend, PAA Atomic Bay Rum & Wholly Kaw King of Oud.

Very nice start to the month Barry.

SRS # 1178 - OUDtober Shave - Sangre de Drago

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: J R Torrey The Artist
Brush: MrEE Limited Edition #017 Cashmere 24 mm
Pre-Shave: Pears Transparent Soap
Lather: PAA Sangre de Drago
Aftershave: PAA Sangre de Drago
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

A wonderful start to the month of October. As with previous years, I have started with a Oud shave. The PAA Sangre de Drago receive the call. The synthetic brush whipped up a thick and creamy lather.

Hi, proceeded to do the usual three pass shave. The straight razor of choice was my first completed restoration razor, the JR Torrey Artist. The end result was a super smooth and comfortable shave. The shave is as close as one can get to a BBS without using the cotton ball test.

The post shave routine has left my face feeling fabulous. I am smelling good and looking forward to a fantastic day. I hope you all have a great one as well.

Thanks Joe. I like your plan.

Great start to the month Joe..

October 1 SOTM Head and Faceshave

Good morning

Mühle R102
Voskhod DE Blade (5)
Gillette 7 o'clock Permasharp DE Blade (fresh)
PAA/King R Emporium SS
TSD Irish Spring AS
Stirling Alum Block
Personal Care Witch Hazel
Beard Growh: 42 hrs
Dome Turf : 3 days



I wanted to start the month with a head and face shave. I went with the R102 in keeping with OCtober theme. I did three passes on my face plus touchups on my neck. The Voskhod blade was a little rough that I caught a weep off the side of my right upper lip. I should know better than to keep using the blade when it was starting to go, especially with an aggressive razor. Anyway, I did swapped the blade with a fresh Gillette 7 o'clock Permasharp DE Blade to finish the third pass and do an exra half pass to get the stragglers on my neck. I only needed two passes for my dome. Got a smooth shave all over and thank goodness that I didn't lose any red liquid on the dome. Lol!

I went with the PAA/King R Emporium SS because it's lightly scented and is quite slick. Here's my lather.



Did get significant alum feedback on the dome and some on my neck. Finished with the witch hazel and aftershave application. Take care.

Thank you, Joe.

fine start to the month gents.

-Tuesday-
1920's canadian old type pcket set
rubberset 200-3
palmolive coin
razo-rock puros



good morning gents
starting OCtober in style with the 1920's canadian old type pocket set
fine palmolive lather built with the restored rubberset 200-3
smooth careful 2 passer with minor pick ups
razo-rock puros to finish
awesome
have a fine day everyone

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Thank you Joe.

A beautiful elegant shave set up Gary to start off October wonderfully.